The changing educational needs of midwives in England were assessed, and an open learning package for midwives was developed based on the findings. Data were collected from the following: questionnaires mailed to 1,100 registered midwives (70% response rate), all 205 coordinating supervisors of midwives in England (83% response rate); 1 randomly selected consultant obstetrician from each of England's 205 maternity units (58% response rate); one obstetric registrar from each of England's 196 maternity units employing obstetric registrars (46% response rate); national random sample of 250 general practitioners (65% response rate); case studies of 2 midwifery units across England and focus group interviews with midwives and managers at the units; interviews with a geographically and socially representative sample of 115 mothers served by midwifery clinics, and interviews with representatives of six national organizations involved in developing the nation's maternity service. The study findings were synthesized into an open learning package containing four units on relationships in practice and four on the context of midwifery care. Appended is an overview of the open learning package unit contents and a list of individuals involved in developing the open learning package. (The report includes 106 tables/figures and 215 references). (MN)